Ore-concentrator.



URE CDNCENTRATOB. (Application ld Oct. 29, 1 BOO.

Z//enfor of the incasement will carry in their circular llniirnn @raresParent reiten,e

ALBERT II. STEBBINS, OF Ll'lTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

oasoonoisnranron.

SEECFILGATlN forming part or Letters Patent No. 696,606, dated April 1,1902.

Application filed October Z9, 1900. Serial No. 34,748. (No model.)

T0 all 'LU/bont 'lit 777,04/ cm2/cern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT II. S'rntsnins, a citizen of 'the UnitedStates, residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inOre-Conventrators, of Whichthe following is a siwcilication.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to ore-voncentrnnn'stur effecting a separation ol' the valuable particles ot' ore from theiradhering impurities, and more par ticnlarly to that type ot' suchmachine wherein the ore, preferably in a finely-divided com dition, issubjected to the action ot' flnidrurrents, whichserve to eliminate thelight valueless particles and carry the saine away from the heavy orvaluable particles.

It is a Well-known fact that the particles of comminuted orfinely-ground ores vary in size and shape and often in specificgravities, and to facilitate the subsequent treatment of such particlesit is desirable that those of similar size and like specific gravitiesshall be collected in a group and separated from those of different sizeand unlike specific gravities and that theladhering or intermixedimpurities be separated from all the groups thus segregated. With theseand other general objects in View] have invented aform ofore-concentrator having an incasement of grad ually-increasing size fromone end to the other and in Which the divided or finely-ground ore issubjected to the action of air or other iuid caused to circulate insubstantially circular or spiral currents of graduallydecreasingstrength or carrying capacity from the smaller to the larger end ot' theincasement, so that While the Huid-currents near the smaller end` orspiral course nearly all the material fed to the machine the samefluid-currents at a point more `remote from said smaller end will be sofar reduced in strength by reason of the increased size of theincasement that many of the heavier particles will no longer besnstained and will fall in to a receptacle provided for the purpose, thelighter values and impurities still continuing to he held insuspensionand circulated by the redncedcurrent4 until the gradual and successiveweakening of the huid-currents permits the lighter and then the lightestvalues to settle or fall, while the im purities are carried outof themachine.

ly this operation not only are the valuable particles or portions of oreseparated from the accontljianying sand, dirt, or otherim pnrities, butthe valuable particles are themselves separated into groupY according totheir size or relativLx specific gravit ies, and thus collected fori'nrther treatment.

The machine which forms the subject of my present invention is primarilydesigned for the treatment of ground or finely-divided ores or likematerials, but may be applicable fortreatmentntmaterialsinottici-conditions, and while l describe the operation of thede vice by the use ot' airblasts for effecting the separation `outlinedit is obvious that any duid may be used with advantage, according to thecharacter of the material being treated. 7o

My invention as above generally indicatedll consists of the parts andcombinations, as will be hereinafter mnt-e particularly described, anddefinitely pointed out in the claims.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a plan View of a coucentrator embodying myinvention, part of the wall being broken away at one end to disclose theconstruction within. Fig.. 2 is a side elevation of a concentratorembodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a cross *section ou line m Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a detail view ot' the distributing pipe and chute. Fig. 5 is across section of a modification.

The Concentrator in the present embodiment of my invention comprises anincasementA, preferably of funnel shape-that is, of. gradual increasingcross-sectional area from one end to the other, the smaller end ct beingclosed, while the larger end d' is open. Extending lengthwise of theincasementA is a distributing-pipe B, the length of which may be more orless, as desired; but, as shown, the distributing-pipe extendscontinuously nearly the entire length of the incasement A and isconnected to any suitable fluid-supplying means, not necessary to show,by the connection B,preferably,though not necessarily, located to conveythe fluid blast into the distributing-pipe B, near one end thereof. Thedistributingpipe B is connected to the ineasement A by theintroduction-chute C, arranged, preferably, tangential to theincasement, which is provided With an opening C to receive the end wallsof the chute. It will IOO be noted that the cross-section of theincasement is substantially circular and that the wall thereof at thepoint where the chute C connects with the incasement A is carried out ofits circular course, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby forming at the bottomof the incasement a supporting-incline c2, onto which the particles ofore may fall and the blast of air from the chute C be directed.

Preferably some distance above the supporting incline d2 the incasementis provided with a slit c3, which may extend substantially the length ofthe incasement and forms the outlet or discharge opening for theconcentrates. Exfending downward from the slit, on either sidelthereof,is a flange c4, projecting into the concentrate-boxes D, which may beclosed at or near their ends by doors d, free to swing outward, asshown, to permit the concentrates to be discharged, but adapted to closeand prevent the ingress of air should the moving air-currents in theincasement create a suction or partial vacuum in the concentrate-box.The concentrate-boxes D extend throughout the length of the outlet ordischarge slit a3, and the partitions d between the boxes serve asbraces to support and strengthen the wall of the incaseinent on oppositesides of the slit.

The ground or divided ore is introduced into the incasement A, at thesmall end thereof, by means of a hopper E or other desired or usualmeans and is at once caught by the incoming blast of air which issuesfrom the introduction-chute C and passes into the incasementsubstantially tangential therewith, striking first and with the greatestenergy the supporting-incline a2, on which much of the material beingtreated will fall. Under the lifting force of the incoming blast of airthe mass of material is started in a circular path around the interiorof the funnel-shaped incasement, some of' the heavier particles beingforced up the incline over the edge of the discharge-opening a3, whileothers are carried past said opening and falling back under theinfluence of gravity pass into said opening a3, the lighter particlesand impurities being given a gyratory motion While suspended by theair-currents. As the gyratory motion of the air-currents carries thematerial to the larger cross-'sectional areas of the incasement `thoseparticles which were before held in suspension by the force of the blastare now permitted to settle under the decreased action of the blast andeventually nd their way into the discharge-opening a3, as aboveindicated. It will be noted that the distributing-chute C delivers theair or Huid blast into Jthe lower portion of the incaseinent anddirectly over and upon the supporting-incline d2, and such blast as itenters the incasement being strongest at this point will lift and pickup any settlings that may lodge upon the supportingincline to eventuallycarry them up the inoline into the discharge-opening del. lIt will benoted that I have provided flanges projecting downward from thedischarge-Opening c3 into the concentrate-boxes, the purpose of thisbeing to overcome to some extent the iiuctuating movements that areliable to occur through the discharge-opening c3 under the Varyingpressures exerted by the gyratory air-currents in the incasement, and tofurther prevent this back-and-forth movement of aircurrents through thedischarge-opening a3 I may provide the concentrate-boxes with a door, asd, which upon the creation of a partial vacuum in the box would beclosed, as will be evident.

Preferably located at intervals along the distributing-chute C arepartitions c, which serve the double purpose of acting as braces to holdthe introduction-chute in shape and as wings to guide the air into thefunnel or iucasement at a direct right angle or such other angle as maybe desired to get the best circular motion. These partitions may belocated at any desired intervals in the introduction-chute, dependinglargely upon the character of material to be treated and the characterof blast introduced or the character of motion desired to be given tothe material within the funnel or incasement.

Preferably within the funnel at any desired intervals I place spiralflanges or guide-pieces f, which may extend more or less around theinterior of the funnel and project inward from the wall thereof asuitable distance to act as a guide giving to the air-currentstheircircular movement. In the form shown `in Fig. 3 the fianges f arecrescent-shaped'and extend only part wayaround 'the funnel on the sidethereof opposite the distributingchute; `but it will be understood thatthese flanges may be longer or shorter, as desired, their purpose beingto assist in holding the aircurrents from too rapid longitudinalmovement of the funnel and to guide them into circular paths. Theseflanges or Wings act also as braces for the funnel, especially when thelatter is made of light metal, as may be found sometimes desirable.

In the modified construction shown by Fig. 5 the incasement is providedwith two discharge-openings 7c 70, and the number of said openings, itwill be obvious, may be varied as desired; but in any event saiddischargeopenin gs should lead to separate concentrateboxes K K', intowhich project the flanges on opposite lsides of the openings. It will beobvious that when two or more dischargeopenings are employed theVconcentrates in passing up the supporting-incline will be `more liableto pass through one of the discharge-openings, so as to more readilyseparate the concentrates from their lighter-.impurities.

The disposition of the distributing-pipe and its connection with thesource of supply and distribiting-chute should be such that the iuid orairexerts its greatest force in the small end of the funnel `orincasement, and from thereA the exerted force shoulddecrease IOO IIO

eeeeoe proportionately as the fun nel is traversed to its exit end.

The partitions cl' between the concentrateboXes serve to brace the Walls,of the funnelshaped incasement Where the same' is provided with thedischarge-opening a3.

In the same cases it may be desirable to contract the outlet at thelarge end of the funnel in order to increase the effectiveness of theair-currents in carrying the light impurities out ofthe machine, and asone means of accomplishing this result I may employ a detachable cone orother shaped flange or funnel m, having a rim m to fit over the end ofthe casing, the smaller end of the flange or funnel m preferably, thoughnot necessarily, projecting into the interior of the concentrator, asshown by dotted lines in Fig. l.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secu re byLetters `Patent, isi l. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of afunnel-shaped incasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional areafrom one end to the other, said incasement being closed at its smallerend, a feed-hopper leading into the funnel-shaped incasement at itssmaller end, a fluid-distributing chute tangentially arranged withreference to said incasement and leading into the same, an outlet forthe concentrates, located in the Wall of the incasement above the lowestportion thereof, and a series of concentrate-boxes in communication withsaid outlet, whereby as material'i'ed into the incasement at its smallerend is given a spiral or gyratory motion Within the incasement and movedtoward the larger end thereof, the concentrates or heavierparlincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other, saidincasement being closed at its smaller end, means to feed material tosaid incasement, a distributing-pipe, a fluiddistributing chuteconnected to said pipe and extending substantially the length of saidincasement and being tangentially connected thereto to produce Withinsaid incasement circular fluid-currents, and an outlet for theconcentrates.

et. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shapedincasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end 1othe other, said incasement being closed at its smaller end, means. tofeed material into said incasement, a distrihitting-pipe and afluid-distributing chute extending substanstantially the length of saidinmtsement, and the chute being arranged tangential thereto, adischarge-outlet for the concentrates extending substantially the lengthof the incasement and a series of concentrate-boxes in communicationwith said outlet.

5. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shapedincasementof graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the other,said incasement being closed at its smaller end,'means to feed materialinto said incasement, adistributing-pipe and a tlnid-distrilmting chuteextending substatitially the length of said incasement, and the chutebeing arranged tangential thereto, a discharge outlet` for theconcentrates arranged in the wall of the incasement above the bottomthereof and opposite the distributing-chute.

G. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasementof graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the otherand having a supporting-incline, means for feeding material into saidincasement near the smaller end thereof, a distributing pipe, adistributingchute connected thereto and arranged tangentially to theincasement to direct a blast of air directly onto and over thesupporting-incline thereof, a discharge-outlet arranged in the Wall ofthe incasement above the supporting-incline and on the side thereofopposite the distributingchute.

7. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasementof graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the otherand having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and adistributing-chute extending substantially the length of saidincasement, the said chute being connected tangentially thereto todirect a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, adischargeoutlet in the Wall of the incasement opposite thedistributing-chute and a series of concentrate-boxes in communicationwith the said outlet.

8. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of a funnel-shaped incasementof graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the otherand having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipeandadistributing-chute eX- tending substantially the length of saidincasement, the said chtite being connected tangentially thereto todirect a blast of air onto the saidsupporting-incline, a dischargeoutletin the Wall of the incasement opposite the distributing-chute, and aseries of concentrate-boxes, said outlet having flanges. projecting intothe concentrate-boxes.

9. In an ore-concentrator, the combination of afunne'l-shaped incasementof graduallyincreasingcross-sectional area from one end to ICO IIO

the other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and adistributing-chute extending substantially the length ot saidincasement, the said chute being connected tangentially thereto todirect a blast of air onto the said supporting-incline, adischargeoutlet in the'wall of the incasement opposite thedistributing-chute, and a series of concentrate-boxes havingself-closing and normally closed doors, said outlet having i'langesprojecting into the concentrate-boxes.

10. 'In an o1e-concentrator,the combination of a funnel-shapedincasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end tothe other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and adistributing-chute eX- tending substant-ially the lengt-h oftheincasement, the said chute having partitions therein and connectedtangentially to the incasement to direct a blast of air onto the saidsupporting-incline, a discharge-outlet in the side Wall of theincasement opposite the distributing-chute and a series ofconcentrateboxes in communication with said outlet.

A11. In an ore-concentrator,the combination vof a funnel-shapedincasement of graduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end tothe other and having a supporting-incline, a distributing-pipe and adistributing-chute eX- tending substantially the length of theincasement, the said chut-e having partitions therein and connectedtangentially to the incasement to direct a blast of air onto the saidsupporting-incline, a discharge-outlet in the side Wall ot" theincasement opposite'the distributing-chute, a series of anges projectinginward from the Wall of the funnel and a series of concentrate-boxes incommunication with said outlet.

l2. In an ore-concentrator,the combination of an incasement ofgraduallyincreasing cross-sectional area from one end to the'other andhaving a supporting-incline, means forfeedingmaterialintohesamenearthesmaller end thereof, a Huid-distributingchute connected thereto and arranged tangentially to the incas'ement todirect a fluid-blast directly onto and over the supporting-incline, anda discharge-opening in the AWall of the vincasement opposite thetangential inlet andabove the supporting-incline so that materialfalling down the Wall of the incasement after being projected above thedischarge-opening by the incoming blast will pass through saiddischarge-opening.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALBERTII. STEBBINS. Witnesses:

ALEX C. HULL, EUGENE B. JETT.

